#S&W

Heckler & Koch has had an unusual relationship with the striker-fired handgun. The world’s first polymer-framed striker-fired production pistol, the VP70, was an H&K, and what many consider to be the company’s finest handgun ever, the P7, was also striker fired. However, aside from those two, Heckler & Koch had not produced any other striker-fired handguns, despite being one of the world’s major pistol design and manufacturing firms. Had, that is, until the summer of 2014, when the company released a brand new handgun, which harkened back to the aforementioned VP70 with the name VP9.

Are you someone who appreciates the classic lines of the 1911 platform, but wants a cartridge with a little more punch than a .45 ACP, or even a .38 Super? A recent photo by Oleg Volk has the answer:

Say it ain’t so!? .22 Plinkster has hung up his standard rimfire antics and seriously moved up-caliber to a .500 S&W revolver. In one of his standard “how many will it go through videos”, the .500 S&W is put up against cinder blocks. They prove to be a formidable for for the 300+ grain rounds.

A few months ago I was fortunate enough to purchase an M&P Pro from a friend who attended the S&W armorer course for M&Ps. This pistol was the one he built in that class. Knowing how particular he is about his guns I had no qualms about buying this Pro model.

Smith & Wesson has just announced the purchase of Battenfeld Technologies for $130.5 million in cash. You may have not heard of Battenfeld Technologies, but there is a good chance you own products they make. Their brands include Caldwell Shooting Supplies (shooting accessories, targets, ear/eye protection), Wheeler Engineering (gunsmithing supplies and tools), Tipton Gun Cleaning Supplies (gun cleaning products), Lockdown Vault Accessories (gun safe accessories), Golden Rod (gun safe moisture control systems), Frankford Arsenal (reloading tools and supplies) and Bog Pod (gun tri-pod systems).

S&W 2015 first quarter results have published. Long gun sales are down 67.2% from the same quarter last year. Decreased demand for “Modern Sporing Rifles” were identified as a cause of the decline in long gun sales. I expect hunting rifle demand stayed the same, and so AR-15 sales likely decreased more than 67.2%. Handgun sales were down just 3.2%. The total decrease in sales was 22.9%, a decrease of $39.2 million.  The share price closed down 11.2% yesterday.

Crimson Trace is now partnering with S&W to supply the lasers for the Bodyguard line of pistols.  Both the Bodyguard pistol and revolver will be getting the new lasers.  No word yet on if the pricing will increase with the price of either pistol.  Hopefully this will help to stem the flow of problems that have plagued the Bodyguard 380’s laser.  From the sound of the press release, that looks to be the plan.  Use a higher quality laser manufacturer and make sure people know that is what they are doing.

NOTE: This product review was made possible by GunsForSale.com.  To get up-to-date information on where to find S&W guns for sale, please visit  GunsForSale.com.

NOTE: This product review was made possible by GunsForSale.com.  To get up-to-date information on where to find revolvers for sale, please visit  GunsForSale.com.

Over at Shooting Illustrated, Uncle has reviewed the new Crimson Trace Lightguard for S&W M&P9 pistol. The Lightgaurd combines a light and laser into a compact package.

NOTE: This product review was made possible by GunsForSale.com.  To get up-to-date information on where to find S&W revolvers for sale, please visit  GunsForSale.com.

NOTE: This product review was made possible by GunsForSale.com.  To get up-to-date information on where to find S&W revolvers for sale, please visit  GunsForSale.com.

[ This guest post was written by Chris Baker. ]

The Smith & Wesson Model 638 and 637 are now available from the factory with Crimson Trace laser grips installed.

S&W have made a special run of S&W 642 and 442 revolvers with ported barrels. These must make one heck of a bang when the trigger is pulled! Both are chambered in .38 Special.